The Russian military call-up comes amidst ongoing conflict in Ukraine and increasing tensions with NATO nations.
**Putin Launches Largest Military Conscription in Over a Decade**
**Putin Launches Largest Military Conscription in Over a Decade**
In a significant escalation, President Vladimir Putin initiates a recruitment drive for 160,000 young men aimed at expanding Russia's military forces.
In a bold move signaling Russia's growing military ambitions, President Vladimir Putin has announced the conscription of 160,000 men aged 18 to 30 – the largest military call-up since 2011. This spring recruitment is part of a broader effort to bolster the armed forces following Putin's directive to increase the military's total strength to approximately 2.39 million personnel, including 1.5 million active soldiers, by the end of the next three years.
Vice Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky assured that although these new recruits will be engaged, they will not be dispatched to participate directly in the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, which Russia refers to as its "special military operation." Nevertheless, concerns persist regarding the fate of conscripts in combat, as some have reportedly lost their lives in skirmishes along Russia's borders or were deployed to fight in Ukraine shortly after the start of the full-scale invasion.
The announcement of the draft, which runs from April to July, comes despite US-led attempts to broker a ceasefire in the protracted conflict. On the day of the announcement, Ukraine accused Russian forces of conducting an assault on a power facility in Kherson, leaving 45,000 residents without electricity. Despite international pressure, Russia has rejected a comprehensive ceasefire, claiming instead that it has agreed to limit strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructures, with officials suggesting that recent Ukrainian drone attacks might have breached such an understanding.
This year's call-up is 10,000 higher than that of the spring of 2024 and illustrates a continued effort to amass manpower, as the maximum enlistment age has been raised from 27 to 30 since last year. Notification methods have evolved; young Russian men will receive draft notices not only via traditional mail but also through the state services website, Gosuslugi, and Moscow's official city portal.
As the call-up unfolds, an increasing number of young Russians seek alternatives to military service, with some opting for civilian roles. Human rights advocate Timofey Vaskin remarked that recent drafts have become akin to a lottery for many, reflecting the state's evolving strategies to replenish its military ranks.
In addition to the standard recruitment process, Russia has bolstered its numbers through contracts and enlisted thousands of additional troops from North Korea in response to staggering losses reported in Ukraine. Estimates suggest that over 100,000 Russian soldiers may have been killed, with unofficial figures indicating the real toll could be more than double that.
Amidst Putin's efforts to ramp up military capabilities, concerns regarding security have spread throughout Europe, particularly given NATO's ongoing expansions that include Finland and Sweden. Finland, now sharing the longest border with Russia, has decided to enhance its military posture, including potential reintroduction of anti-personnel mines based on defense advice.
As global tensions rise, experts are watching closely to see how these developments in Russia's military strategy will continue to evolve in response to the conflict in Ukraine and shifts within NATO alliances.
